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THE 



ANGEL WOELD 



AND 



OTHER POEMS. 



BY 



PHILIP JAMES BAILEY, 



AUTHOR OF "FESTUS." 



BOSTON: 
TICK NOR, REED, AND FIELDS 

MDCCCL. 



TT^ 



'/ i v^ 



PRINTED BY THURSTON, TORRY, AND CO., BOSTON. 



CONTENTS 



THE ANGEL WORLD 1 

THE RETURN 78 

HYMN OF THANKS 81 

AUTUMN 83 

THE RING 86 

TO THE TRENT 89 

AN ANCIENT LEGEND ••.... 92 

LONDON ........ 97 

A RUIN . . • .... 93 

A FRAGMENT 99 

LOVERS . 101 

A MYTH 102 

MORNING 103 

A MYSTERY . . 107 

PRAYER 108 

HYMN 110 

KNOWLEDGE 112 



THE ANGEL WOELD. 



It was a holy festival in Heaven, 
A joy of satisfaction at the close 
Of some divinest epoch of the world. 

Far round the infinite extremes of space 
Star unto star spake gladness, as they sped 
On their resplendent courses ; and a smile, 
Enkindling on the countenances of the suns, 
Thrilled to the heart of nature, while there rose. 
Expressive of divine felicity, 
A clear bright strain of music, like a braid 
Of silver round a maiden's raiment, all 
Imbounding and adorning. 

There, in one 
Of those most pure and happy stars which claim 
Identity with Heaven, high raised in bliss, 
1 



2 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Each lofty spirit luminous with delight, 

Sat God's selectest angels, gathered round 

The golden board of that palatial orb, 

In spheral order. All the fruitage there 

Of the immortal Eden, and the land 

Of everlasting Light to please the sense 

And satisfy the soul, the Tree of Life 

In all its bright varieties could yield 

Was lavished ; and its fragrance filled the skies. 

The bright blue wine as though exprest from Heaven 

Glittering with life went, moonlike, round and round 

Times sacredly repeated 'mong the gods 

And spirits who had each one earned his star 

In that divinest conclave, as they held 

Deep commune on the wondrous end imposed 

By the Eternal Saviour of the world 

Upon his infinite work ; — and all the harps — 

Intwined about with nectar-dropping flowers 

Which wither not though culled but on the brow 

Or in the bosom bloom as in their fields — 

Were trembling into silence, when there stepped, 

Unseen before, into the joyous midst 

Of that bright throng, surprised in holy ease, 

A young and shining angel. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 

In his air 
Sat kingly sweetness, kind and calm command, 
Yet with long suffering blended ; for the soil 
Of dust was on his garb and sandalled sole ; 
Dust on the locks of fertile gold which flowed 
From his fair forehead rippling round his neck ; 
Bedropt, defiled, with cold and cave-like dew. 
One hand a staff of virent emerald held 
As 't were a sapling of the tree of life, 
And one smoothed in his breast a radiant dove 
Flutterincp its winors in licrhtninn;s thousand-hued, 
The sole companion of his pilgrimage. 
Silent he stood and gazed. 

The angels straight 
Rose from their pearly seats inwreathed with gems 
And priceless azure from the morning's mine, 
And bowed the head and stretched the hand, ere yet 
One welcoming word were uttered. Wine and bread- 
Bread made of golden wheat — and wine of life — 
Such only as immortal virtues use. 
Before the guest were set ; and cool white robes 
The angels gave him, floating halo-like 
With fleecy glistening round his fainting limbs. 



4 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Twain of the thrones at once theh^ seats resigned ; 
Ministrant Princedoms sang again the strain 
Which fills the halls of hospitable Heaven 
When that the holy enter, or the sons 
Of Light hold high and hallowed festival. 

Then spake the cherub chiefest of them all — 
Bright Angel ! from vvrhatever sphere arrived, 
Supernal and celestial, or some orb 
Far off, of starry nature, — for the toil 
Meseems, of travel, weighed upon ye erst, — 
Now cheerily relieved, — instruct us, pray, 
Who here assembled sit to celebrate. 
By kind commission of our Lord, His love. 
If we in aught thine ends can further aid 
Or serve in thine intents, as fain we would. 
For all, we know, is holy enters here. 
By virtue of our King ; and we, prepared 
Again for sacred action, instant are. 

Thus he, his seat resuming, while a glance 

Of bland approval beamed forth from every eye, 

Wise reticence still reining-in each tongue. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Answered the stranger angel, rising slow, 
Sunlike, from out his seat of clouded gold — 
O kind ! O noble, natures ! well ye work 
Your ministry of love, who thus pour forth 
Unmeasured, unconditioned, your divine 
Riches of works and words, that all who come, 
Whether by invitation or by need. 
May of the Sovereign's bounty, whom ye serve. 
Like honour with His chosen friends, receive ; 
Accept these thanks, this blessing ! — 

As he ceased, 
The air became all incense, and the skies, 
As though endowed with native sunlife, showered 
Around on all their iridescent smiles. 

Oh not to us, rejoined the cherub host, 
Be gratitude for duty barely done ; 
All honour is our Lord's. To Him we owe 
This gracious exaltation o'er the world. 
Wherein His love sustains us ; His, who first 
By one Omnipotent Fiat breathed us forth ; 
Who, out of awful non-existence, us 
Translated into life, and turned our souls 



6 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



To angel constellations, ranging free 
Through all the eternal liberties of Light. 
But if thou wilt, oh say, most holy guest ! 
Whom we account us blessed to receive, 
While yet the day doth solemnize the skies. 
Wherefore thou hither comest, — how treated else 
In other worlds, and whither now ; so we, 
Haply, may wisdom gather from thy words. 
Or help afford by deeds. 

Then once again 
That radiant youth, immortal as the morn. 
Rose from the Crown of Heaven, and bending low 
Spake with a soft, bright utterance, like the voice 
Of very silence musing ; — so serene 
His parlance, and his audience so attent. 

O happy angels, heavenly and divine. 

To whom nor sin, nor sigh, nor tear, nor woe, 

Not even in imagination, come ; 

And whose free lives in blest obedience pass 

To one law pure, and sole — the law of love — 

How shall ye hear, or I relate, the griefs 

Of orbs disrupted and of spirits dyed 



THE ANGEL WORLD, 7 

In blackest sin — of God's high rule reject — 

His own deputed, exiled — rudely thrust 

From ancient throne and old dynastic calm 

Thought steadfast and eterne — and through the blank 

Of lifeless night compelled to wander ; where, 

But that afar he caught the friendly glance 

Of your extreme and most felicitous star, 

He might perchance have wandered still ; but since 

A gracious ear to stranger's plaint be yours, 

Let me, in briefest wise, recount the deeds 

Of worlds far distant, wherewithal mine own 

Be somewhat, and not wholly dimly blent ; 

That ye in joy thus fortified, may thanks 

Give for your peaceful lot, and further bless 

God, who hath put it in your hearts to share 

Those bounties with the stranger, ye enjoy. 

To Him be praise and worship in all worlds ! — 

Beyond the ken of angels, in the midst 

Of a bright ring of worlds, an orb there is — 

There is — ah me ! there was — an orb of light, 

Once all mine own. In Heaven mine Angel-sire — 

Such blest relations are, ye know, in Heaven — 

Abode,and ruled in glory many a tribe 

Elect of choicest virtues, He Himself 



8 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Sovereign and head of all cherubic thrones, 
Abiel his name, mine Beniel, known on high, 
His sole Son, and ye all are sons of God. 
This orb, I, trusted with supremest powers 
Paternal love could lend, myself had framed, 
Myself with life endowed and loving things. 
All life is sacred in its kind to Heaven, 
And all things holy, beautiful, and good. 
There angels dwelt as in the bosom of bliss ; 
Peace, piety, and innocence and joy 
Made up the square of Being. Worship was 
The very air they lived in, righteousness 
The ground they trode and builded on. 

A land 
It shewed of fountains, flowers, and honied fruits, 
Of cool green umbrage, and incessant sun ; — 
The rainbow there in permanent splendour spanned 
The skies by ne'er a cloud deformed, of hue 
Sterner than amber ; while on every hand 
The clear blue streams singing and sparkling ran 
The bloomy meads to fertilize ; while some 
With honey, nectar, manna, milk, and wine, 
Fit for angelic sustenance slow flowed. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Here palaces and cities, midst of groves, 
Like giant jewels set in emerald rings ; 
There, too, the bowery coverture of woods. 
Ancient and dense, laced with all-tinted flowers, 
Wherein were wont to sojourn in all peace, 
Lamb, lion, eagle, ox, dove, serpent, goat, 
And snow-white hart, each sacred animal 
Cleansed from all evil quality, sin-instilled. 
Speaking one common tongue, and gathered oft 
In wisest parley, 'neath the sacred tree 
Centring each mazy pleasance, intersect 
With an invisible bound ; so sweet the force 
Of nature, heavenly sanctioned. 

All went well 
For many a sunny cycle. Year by year 
The souls of all things there were ripening fast 
To spirit-like perfection ; day by day 
Grew spirithood to deathless angel kind — 
Angelic nature to Divine estate. 
It seemed a happy contest which of all 
Should happiest be. 

Among that heavenly race 
There dwelt two angel-sisters, nymphs divine, 



10 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

The daughters of the Lord of gods and men, 
Star-dowered, light-portioned, forms full realized 
Of the Eternal Beauty. 

Yet how unlike 
Their nature, and their loveliness ; in one 
A soul of lofty clearness, like a night 
Of stars, wherein the memory of the day 
Seems trembling through the meditative air — 
In whose proud eye, one fixed and arklike thought 
Held only sway ; that thought a mystery ; — 
In one, a golden aspect like the dawn — 
Beaming perennial in the Heavenly east — 
Of paly light ; she ever brightening looked 
As with the boundless promise unfulfilled 
Of some supreme perfection ; in her heart 
That promise aye predestinate, alway sure, 
Her breast with joy suffusing, and so wrought. 
Her sigh seemed happier than her sister's smile : 
Yet patient she and humble. 

Of this twain 
The elder my betrothed was, to me 
In antemundane ages, by my sire. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 11 

As of like royal issue with myself, 
And seed divine reserved ; yet so disposed 
Of this bright orb the triple herison, 
That ere the elder entered on the whole, 
The younger should the fair domain enjoy 
Of her own chosen portion and delight. 
Such the decree forestablished from of old. 
Who shall gainsay the will supreme of God ? 
For both He loved right well, but for my sake 
The first the best, with whom was most secured 
The bliss of all. 

The younger now had reigned 
In meekest wise for many a moonlike age 
O'er her select dominion ; and delight 
Leapt up its highest, when the news made known 
By Wisdom, their high governante, spread abroad 
Of nuptials nearing celebration. Vast 
And rich in festive splendour were commenced 
The sacred preparations : every heart 
Impatient for the high propitious hour 
When the Bride Queen of their own angel race 
With me enthroned should sit, and rule with me. 



12 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Midst all this, suddenly a stranger star 

Svvordlike in shape, as waved by hand unseen, 

Far off in space appeared ; eclipsing swift 

All lesser, nearer lights which nature shewed. 

So rapidly from end to end it flew 

Of Heaven's horizon — even as though it scorned 

The quiet skies of that ecstatic sphere, 

I spake of — that the third night it had vanished 

Into the unknown infinite below ; 

When to their wondering eyes the morrow morn, 

Waked out of darkness into daily light, 

A marvel mightier than the sworded star — 

Which I alone perceived the Evil one 

Had there unsheathed in Heaven where late it flamed 

Behold, was present. 

Bands of angels — whence 
Was known not — thronged the groves and palaces. 
Which decked our paradisal world, in air 
And aspect, fair yet foreign, and distinct 
Their every action with a shining grace 
Which like a lodestar chained, unfelt, the eye ; 
And made their loveliness, exceeding far 
The holy beauty of the original tribes — 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 13 

Erstwhile so happy — fatal. For these first 

The heart divided, once entirely God's, 

Whole and without a flaw ; first tuned their lyres 

To angel-love alone, but half divine ; 

First taught to separate self from Deity. 

Yet seemed they not to teach but rather fled 

All serious converse and instruction, soon 

Curtailing worship and prolonging rest ; 

As though true worship were not union high 

With the Great Lord and universal Good, 

Worthy of worship ceaseless and by all. 

These, after mingling, as by chance or choice 
In holy celebrations, when first asked 
Their rank to name, and order, made reply 
They were the youngest offspring of the Heavens, 
Children of bliss and knowledge, richly dowered 
With singular joys and rare immunities; — 
That they were spirits of freedom, and their suit 
And servage voluntary, whence alone 
Budded what little merit they possessed ; 
As otherwise their gracious Lord, they said. 
Were mocked with forced compliance ; that all good 
Sprang from the natural impulse of their souls 



14 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



And the proud pleasure of pure liberty ; 

That they the measure of the skies fulfilled 

The complement of all extremes of light ; 

Of all celestial essence they the sum, 

And after them was nothing ; — which to preach 

Of their own selves was their sole business there 

Wandering where'er to wander pleased them best. 

Like, but unequal, as the eye to Heaven, 
Errors the shape of truths put on ; as clouds 
The forms of isles and continents assume. 
From whence they sprang, suspended in the skies. 

With such like words, so falsely seeming true, 

And ofttimes urged, were many led aside 

To question — doubt — deny — at last, cast off 

The holy law ordained of Deity 

Which makes His love sustaining Spirit alone 

The cause and reason of all righteousness. 

All peace, all bliss ; freewill the synonyme 

Of selfish nature as opposed to God, 

Blown up with self conceived deserts, and proud 

To prove its own an independent power 

Held, in duality, with Him on high. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 15 

Vain, foolish, impious thought for aye begone ; 
With all things false and foul for ever cease ! — 

These, by divine permission, to myself 
Such secretly confided, to the end 
Which ye ere long shall wot of, presently 
Seceded, — yet remained on outward terms 
With their unshaken brethren as before. 
But oh ! the absolute excellence was gone, 
The plane of pure perfection broken through ; 
It was as though some galaxy of stars 
Had sunk and left a horrid rent in Heaven, 
A ragged flaw athwart the sapphirine floor, 
A foul chaotic chasm. 

Still further spread, 
As from some central and impulsive point 
In ceaseless radiation, day and night. 
Fresh errors, and reiterate wrongs and jars. 
In vain I throned myself in judgment hall 
Uttering decrees predestined as of yore ; 
In vain I walked among them, beckoning back 
Such as in false society had strayed : — 
In vain I warned of evil ; shewed them all 



16 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



How God's exterminating judgments fell 
Ever on sin, with woe to whom they came. 
The testimony came to all in vain. 

The disaffection spread. Oh ! still I weep 
Recalling that declension, sad and wide ! — 

By unsuspected frankness, having gained 
Free access soon to the imperial Bride 
The strangers next their machinations plied 
Against the holy guide and nurse divine, 
Immortal Wisdom, 'neath whose bounteous care 
Had grown those angel sisters, since their birth 
In the arcanest Heavens. Her, soon, alas ! 
The wily wanderers whispered first away, 
From wonted inculcation of deep lore 
And holy truths, as narrowing down the souls 
And marrincr the free actions and intents 
Of the angelic pair ; to which base cheat 
The elder — not the wiser — won too well 
By much and false persuasion, at the last, 
Gave in nor rued till after ; so mistaught 
To gladden at the lack of all restraint 
Upon the natural world-commanding will. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 17 

Not so the younger, who, with tears profuse. 

Grieved at the doom of parting from her guide, 

The severance from her holy tutelage. 

And losing of the golden words of life 

Which her instructress taught her, who instilled 

Into her soul the sacred elements 

Of universal truth ; and gave to taste. 

In prelibation of supremest bliss, 

The essence of all knowledge. 

God, she taught, 
Himself was truth and justice, good and love. 
The infinite reality, the one ; 
Out of the unknown darkness of the depths 
Of His great Being all existence sprang. 
In various forms and multitudinous spheres, 
Innumerous as the atoms of the light. 
Or as the sands Time's mighty year-glass holds, — 
Though it comprise all deserts ; that with Him 
All nature's vast and elemental limbs 
Are but the organs of His will. Himself 
Above all bound, above all infinite ; 
Whose action is all freedom — whose repose 
Necessity — whose only word is Fate ; 



18 THE ANGEL WORLD, 

With Him alone, she taught, was peace and Wiss ; 

The bliss of Being is the love of God — 

And primal beauty and eternal joy. 

Whereof the vital music of all orbs 

Forms but the faintest echo ; and the sign 

Minutest of His high celestial will 

To harmonize creation, and reduce 

The pure perennial war of good and ill. 

Into the musical peace which rules in Heaven — 

Peace, victress of all war. For so, in Time, 

The one and many make themselves the all ; — 

Beauty the boundless medium. Love the end 

Immutable, which renders all things one ; — 

And though in outer worlds an outward war 

There is, yet in the spiritual world. 

The secret harmony of good and ill, 

Which Being with existence reconciles 

In the mid axis of necessity — 

Prevails and hallows finally the whole. 

So Wisdom made her favourite wise of heart. 

And led the loved one through all holy spheres 

And dwellings of seraphic bliss, and homes 

Of perfect pleasure — even as the sun 

Wades through the golden waters of the world 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 19 

Up to the top point of the tower of Time, 

Then steep descends — down to the lowest nook 

Of furthest space, where earth spins round like clay 

Upon the potter's wheel, the orb where bode 

The last of happy beings, and the first 

Of wretched creatures — seminriortal man — 

Whose clay was tempered with a lymph divine, 

The ante-natal wave of Paradise, 

And fourfold fount of nature's heavenly flow ; — 

Yet so self hidden in the cloud of sin — 

So misadvised by those whose souls perfused 

With earth-pent vapours and the reek of time, 

Falsely oracular sit and agonize. 

Preaching perdition — that though high in Heaven 

The sunsmile of Salvation beamed, it beamed 

Unrecognized — unrecked of — undivined. 

Still after all these wanderings, knowing well 

One single soul more wondrous than all worlds 

Which mass the skies with miracles of light. 

They rapture most and sweet contentment found, 

Coolly triumphant, like the restful stars 

Glowing in Heaven when Time's hot day is done, 

Each in their proper orb and common sphere ; 

To meditative converse most devote. 



20 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

And strict collation of the Spirit-book 
With the pretemporal volume, writ of God ; 
High in the archives of eternity 
Treasured, the pure original of Life. 

The elder Excellence, meanwhile, who longed 

For pure and mere autocracy, unchecked — 

Unled — uneyed — ruled with a random hand, 

And an occasional sovereignty the all 

But full totality, allotted her. 

Of the original myriads of her race. 

These loved her well ; and, willingly, themselves 

Ascribed to her for ever, for that she 

Gave them all freedom, wherefore. in return 

They were her slaves in gratitude : and ripe 

Any desire to grant or scheme abet. 

Which pleased herself, or those intent to please. 

Counsel, however sage, and precept fair, 
Which seemed to savour of superior will, 
Or tendency to better ends than theirs, 
Were treason held at last, and Wisdom's words, 
Bewrayed by guile, into a net were wrought, 
For her own shining feet ; — alas, the day ! 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



21 



Long was a pretext sought, and baffled oft ; 

But never failure followed ill intent 

And base success still sealed each fatal plot. 

The hour of parting came, and Wisdom wrung 
Her high uplifted hands — nor breathed — unless 
To her she loved, that youthful saint — farewell ; — 
Which well she wist were but a mock to make 
Of valediction. How could that she left, 
By any chance, fare well ? 

Yet still she stayed, 
Lingering around that once supremest sphere 
Where, with the sister angels of her care. 
In days of holy innocence and love. 
She was of Eld so happy. Oft she made 
For flight, but pausing, dropped ; and thus consumed 
Her last night there, till every star had waned 
Into the coming light ; and then her way 
Upon her own bright wings she took to Heaven. 

The vanishing flash of her seonian wing 
Called forth a burst of triumph from the train 
Of those insinuant tempters, as they marked — 



22 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

What close in deep divan they long had hoped ; — 
And toward the elder of the angel twain, 
Those regal nymphs, inheritors of Heaven, 
Laden with crown and robe and sceptre, rushed 
Tumultuous — and applausive, hailed her thus. 

Be thou our Queen, O lofty angel fair ! 

Worthy the sole and unobstructed rule 

Of every sphere and every spirit race ; 

Heart-honoured — Heaven-ordained — predestined heir 

Of the bright line of asres numberless ! 

Since God, creating atoms, first began. 

And ended with this universal world. 

Thou hast beheld no equal, nay no like. 

Thee only we acknowledge, and for this, 

Hold our arrival blessed. Empress, hail ! — 

Then she elate, and with pride-blinded soul. 
The towering seat, prepared for her, assumed — 
And sat a sceptred monarch. 

Far and wide 
The tidings flew that I and all my rule 
Were thrust aside ; and in the judgment seat 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 

I sat and none attended ; or but came, 
With false fictitious cause, to scoff and jeer. 

Then came an edict of perpetual ban 
And forcible exile 'gainst myself, and all 
Who dared the fallen fortunes to support. 
Or but to name as lawful. Thus the sword. 
Whose fiery emblem glared at first in air. 
Reigned and divided all things. Every gate 
Of every temple straight was closed — and lo ! 
Each high and heaven-allusive dome was filled 
With hollow sounding emptiness alone. 

Once — in the midst of their assembly high, 
And in the palace hall, where erst were held 
The courts of joy and audiences of love, — 
Once I essayed to speak and hearing hoped. 
But, ere a word, they bound me by the hands, 
And drave me out with curses, taunts, and gibes. 
Passing, thus manacled, the new made throne 
Where sat the crowned traitress, of her crime 
Conscious, and trembling 'mid the array of state 
That girt her in, brightly, I spake ; — but not 
In anger nor revenge ; for I foresaw 



23 



24 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

The wretched end of all such mortal sin, 
And knew the holy purposes of Heaven 
Alone eternal and essential good ; — 
Behold me thus ; I quit thee ; 't is thy will. 
Me thou forswearest, who had loved thee more 
Than all the tribes of angels, love thee still, 
Despite the flatteries wherewith now thy soul 
Is darkened and degraded. Know me true 
The hour will come when thou shalt hold me yet 
Dearer than now detested ; but 't is thou 
Shalt change, not I. Watch, for I come again. 

She answered with a smile, but trembled whilst : 
And I departed that unhallowed hall. 

In this, too, God permitted them success — 
And in far more, that at the close He might 
Their highest height o'ertop, and with the arms 
Of love, all-conquering, fling forth more supreme 
His thrice victorious standard. Such His will ; 
Such, even in exile, now, the due, the dear 
Obedience of my heart ; for well I knew 
To change, or re-create, with Him perdured 
As facile as to make. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 25 

The younger angel maid 
Who dauntless kept her faith, and still with me 
Held sad and sacred commune — though by stealth — 
Was suffered to remain, close cloistered first, 
In solitude religious, for that they 
The Empress' mind who swayed, dared not advise 
To put her quite to death ; and that the tie 
And natural sympathy of sisterhood. 
The memory of the excellent times of old. 
And flickering purposes of future years 
Which played about the heart of her enthroned, 
Together, wrought to spare her and preserve. 
Anon, though bidden to busy herself alone 
With her own matters and those mixed with them — 
She, at convenient times, permission wrung 
To walk abroad and tend her charities ; 
But only in the humblest, homeliest guise. 
And as the Queen had shrunk not to abjure 
All past — all present — and all future love. 
Between her and myself — her whilom Lord — 
The younger in derision, they who mocked 
Both, called the Bride Expectant and the Spouse. 

Now, what a change came o'er that orb serene ! 



26 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Through all the day was revelry and mirth — 
No respite knew the night, till no one recked 
Of natural order or of dues divine. 
While the neglected damsel at the gates 
Of her imperious sister — at whose beck 
All luxuries started into life and use ; — 
In servile garb, and oft with ashes crowned 
As in contempt, an outcast sat forlorn. 

O ! royal menial — O ! imperial thrall — 
Companion of the angels in their height ! 
How lowly art thou fallen ; and yet how pure, 
Seen in the sin consuming light of God — 
How meek — how perfect in all servitude ! — 

These contumelies and worse, unvexed, she bore 

Unheeding, uncomplaining. Day by day — 

Her to impress with due sense of disgrace, 

Was she led in, before the obsequious crowd, 

In sackcloth clad, to make obeisance meet 

Unto the Sisterly Majesty, which she 

Coldly, for peace-sake, made ; nor all hope lacked 

That some few gold-grains Time might number still 

Among the barren sands he measured forth ; — 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 27 

That Wisdom yet might wonn with them again 

And her usurping sister, still beloved, 

Though for this deed condemned, her seat resign 

To the divine dynasty. In this 

Hope she survived, nor wholly stood alone. 

While all — almost — in that strange change of rule 

And law agreed, a certain few there were 

Nathless, within whose hearts the echoes staid 

Of those last words I uttered ; and these found 

Joy unconceived in hoping still they might 

In act be verified ; and oft — as best 

They could — they comforted the angel child. 

Daily and nightly, she, upon her knees, 
Besought God to rekindle, in the hot 
And blinding darkness of her heart who ruled, 
The lovelight of His presence, and to quench 
The desolating river of their wrath — 
Who first infested that fair world with sin. 

At night too, in the wilderness we met — 
For what was once a garden shewed but then 
A drear and desert wold : and there from her, 



28 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

I, banished — learned what things and how befel : — 
And me she never left without a prayer — 
Despite the wrongs I suffered with herself, 
Wrongs which too many loudly joyed to hear — 
That I for all would pray and intercede. 

There were who spared not breath to shew, that she 

Strove in my heart her sister to supplant ; 

Though I, who knew her well, knew better far — 

And, for that she was faithful, sought to bound 

All blessing in herself — and circumscribe 

Through forfeiture of infidelity, 

The promise made to both, of highest bliss. 

Which from their birthplace they had brought with 
them : 

And writ in silvery phylacteries hung — 

In the one openly, the other hid. 

As though ashamed thereof — around their brows ; 

That so they might be known — those twins divine — 

The daughters of the Most High God. 

To each 
As creatural life, was trial still decreed, 
That they might know to relish good and joy — 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 29 

The woe of saintly innocence accused — 

The purifying suffering of sin. 

Yet such — although they knew not this — that both 

Should vanish, and good only and pure joy 

Encrown each other finally. In all 

Worlds there are truths and secrets only known 

And justifiable, to Him who laid 

Their sure foundations ; trembling though they stand 

Upon the countless columns of the air. 

By secret instigation thus the heart 
Was poisoned, of the Angel Queen, to shun. 
And doubt her innocent sister. Time by time 
Such imputations cast, failed not to work 
Wrath in the royal breast, though reckless all 
Of former love, or future. 'T was enough 
3o proud presumption were but whispered round : 
Thus visited. 

Within the central square, 
Fronting the glittering palace, stood the throne — 
Which changed so much the aspect of that orb. 
And which I told of first — whereon each day 
She, ministering blind justice, sat absorbed 



30 THE ANGEL WORLD 

In love of her own empery ; rapt to hear 

The adulation of her foreign train ; 

To trifle with her sceptre as a toy, 

And court the rainbow flashes, startling bright, 

Of the star-gemmed tiara ; to her eyes 

Jewels well worth the satrapies of Heaven ; — 

Rich in all fancied virtues to attract 

Good, or from evil fend ; the which same gems 

She oft would deftly moralize, and prove 

To the subservient glozers ranged around. 

How well they did become her, how much stead, 

The breast, the brow whereon they dazzling lay ; 

Now gleaming forth defiant, now reposed 

In silent capabilities of light. 

There, in her radiant siege, that angel Queen — 

What time the Sister, so abased as wont 

Meekly came forth in pale humility. 

Low bending like the crescent moon, when first 

Born of the golden calm the western sky 

Rejoiceth in, prophetic, to perform 

Due reverence — sat, and eyed askance ; then spake ; 

While o'er her head attendants from behind — 

Pavonian canopy of azure held, 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 31 

In manner of a sunshade, her to screen 

From the high glory that would else have slain : — 

Fair-seeming Sister, is it true that thou — 

In my default — aspirest to espouse 

The angel prince, my sometime lord and lover, 

He exiled, thou in bonds ? If so, content. 

Ye well befit each other, and so far 

As merits make, are equal, in my mind. 

Answered the younger of the twain divine. 

O heavenly consort ! — O affianced bride 

Of God's own Son ! Be there 'tween thee and me 

Nor struggle, nor misdoubt. They both malign, 

Who sow the seeds of discord broad-cast here. 

We each have our forenoted lot. Be mine — 

The power, the privilege of servitude. 

Be thine, command. My faith can never change. 

But thou hast fallen from service to a throne — 

Though he who ever loves, nor swerves from that 

His heart hath fixed on once — with me consort, 

It is but for a season, and our talk 

Is of thee always. Countless prayers are thine. 



32 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

I, too, have my devotions, and serve God 
Doubtless, although I worship not with thee, 
RepUed the elder, bowing from her throne ; 
We worship each our star, but all in Heaven. 

We may not worship but the Invisible ; — 
Answered the younger, firm. 

No matter, now ; 
Rejoined the angel monarch, smlHng bright 
On her confederated beguilers round : 
Who smoothly sanctioned every pearly word 
That beauteous and imperial rebel spake ; — 
My temple is my heart. My seat is fixed 
Here in the midst of friends ; and by this crown 
Each gem a sacred talisman of power. 
Or amulet protective from all harm, — 
Wrought by the spirits of the elements 
And wondrously endowed, — I swear, and be 
The oath, as death,- irrevocable — I, 
The dull alliance ye design abjure. 
Nor Lord, nor living equal shall be mine. 
Depart, and let him know our fixed resolve. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 33 

Incipient murmurs of applause ran round 

The lustrous throng — when lo ! an omen strange. 

While yet she spake, the jewels of her crown 
Erewhile obtested, in the sight of all 
Dropped, several, down, — a sadly splendid lapse 
Like meteor showers autumnal in the skies, — 
Whose fancied virtues in her false esteem 
Were that which made her royal ; down they fell 
And but enriched the dust. 

With deep dismay 
She eyed the empty sockets — and was still. 
Stricken with shame, too, slowly slid away 
That parasitic court. 

The younger, then. 
Who at her sister's feet her seat still sought ; — 
O Sister ! O divine one ! O most dear ! 
There is a jewel more than worth all these — 
These but the shining rubbish of a wreck. 
Wilt thou not seek it ? 'T is, for asking, thine ; — 
A friend there is — a lover — one most true. 
Who would not thus desert thee, though it had been 



34 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Thyself, by judgment, hurled into the dust — 
But there he would have comforted thee. 

No more ! 
Said the haught Empress, I have cast my lot; — 
Then hurried from her throne and disappeared. 

Next came the crime of crimes with curses crowned, 
Staggering precipitate. No lack was there 
Of direful sign and portent ; chief was this — 
Each day grew murker, for the light of truth 
Suns those serenest firmaments ; and all 
The falsehoods each one uttered, lie by lie. 
Rolled into rings of darkness round their heads — 
Till the conglomerate gloom obscured the day. 
And each one so infringed the other's view. 
That contact in collision ceased. And still, 
With gathering shades the stranger spirits grew 
Still lovelier, and, like light outletting flowers. 
Glowed in the lengthening ev-e ; and oft at night 
As the stars streamed their silver radiance forth — 
Alternating with azure and all gems — 
Or as in nacrine blent in one soft blaze. 
Their rosy bowers they trimmed ; and training low 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 35 

The honied wreaths, heavy with odorous dew, — 

Warbled a vesper song, inviting mirth 

And amicable converse in the shade. 

There likewise they averred to serve their God — 

Whose living emblem dwelt, they said, among them — 

With natural worship and symbolic rites 

Of souls regenerated ; there impart 

The esoteric truths which nature veiled, 

Of the one triplicative essence ; there — 

All cosmogonic and theurgic lore, 

Without consideration, open free 

To the enraptured eye — and but for one 

Prostration of the spirit duly made, 

The sacred fire and secrets of the stars. 

Night after night these proffers were proclaimed — 

And mysteries more enchanting still, with smiles. 

Hinting of happier revelations yet, 

When those they loved were perfected in faith. 

These smiles at first were answered but with smiles. 

Incredulous, rebuking. See, said they. 

In impious invocation of that doom, 

How the night lengthens we have brought with us ; — 

Permitted to this end, that out of night 



3G 



THE ANGEL WORLD, 



And preternatural darkness such as this, 
May spring that luminous vision we enjoy, 
And in oursleves create, of things divine. 
Partake ye with us. Thus they tempted on. 
Wonder at last awoke desire. 

Among 
The original seed angelic, was a sage 
Of dominant lineage — for undated years 
Prime counsellor of good — who oft had urged 
Obedience, and reproof on all who erred 
In listening to the promissory guests, 
One wasted atom, even, of an hour — 
And most deplored their advent. Him it seemed 
Good to the Great One — who controls all life, 
And circumscribes all action, so to prove 
His further ends superior — to permit 
One moment's fragile converse with the spirit 
Chief of those voluntary visitants. 
Who lay reclined on fragrant flowers, as though 
Dreaming, yet only half dissolved in sleep ; — 
The radiant chaplet drooping, and the zone 
Coerulean, featly tricked with semblant stars, 
Unloosened for repose. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 87 

Arise, he cried, 
Sternly. And wherefore ? said the angel guest ; — 
In wise and happy idlesse, half divine, 
Those live who how to spend their life know best ; 
Our rest is contemplation : worship our 
Sole work. The weak alone unceasingly 
Devote themselves to action ; but for us, 
We mightiest are in rest. This eve return — 
And I will show thee that we worship here. 

What more, in speech, hath never been divulged ; 
But neither was it much. Away he turned — 
His heart assaulted by a storm of thought. 
The day he passed in musing and in prayer 
Repeated, but unsatisfied. At night. 
When all the stars burned brightliest, and the bowers 
Of song were silent, he in stealth returned — 
And lo ! the Spirit slumbering as before. 

! sweet and soft salute of sacred sleep — 
The starry eyes, and lightning lids of earth, 
And evening, slowly sealing, and the cheek 
Of angel painting with a pearlier calm ; 
How wert thou mocked then ! 



38 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Morn came, and he 
Returned not, — poor apostate ! Soul by soul 
Who went to seek him stayed ; so strong the spell, 
One dread defection cast ; in every bower 
But that wherein he was, 't was said he hid ; 
And soon each flowery canopy one concealed — 
The proselyte of idols — slave of self, 
Who was to seek, but never to be found. 

Pity them, now, ye angels ! for, like you, 
Equal — almost — in favor of their Lord, 
Were once those lapsed ones. These are heart-wrung 
tears. 

At these words, sympathetic tears swam o'er 
For the first time, from each celestial eye. 
As trees autumnal shed their leafy tears 
In golden showers, shaken by sudden gust ; — 
Tears not to be forbid. 

In saddest tone 
Resumed the Heavenly Stranger his discourse. 
Ne'er to be found, I said. But who can find 
A limit to the mercy of our Lord .? 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 39 

In like estate they never may be found — 
They never shall be ; still, for all is hope, 
Hope — the immortal virtue of the saints. 

But let the time-glass of their sins run down, 
Whose recollection whelms me still with woe. 

Not many darkening days had passed away 

Before the mighty mysteries stood revealed, 

And strangest aphanisms, one by one. 

Of those once loved and honoured most, made clear. 

Beneath the shade delicious of a wood — 
In whose Elysian glades those strangers fixed 
At first their dwelling, and therein prepared 
Their secret rites and sacred mysteries — 
Skirting the gold sands of the sapphire sea. 
Were those deceived assembled ; so deceived, 
The day they weened was longer, brighter, now ; 
And each the other hailed as happier then 
Than in the ages past. Forth flashed the song 
Upwards like earth-born lightning, and the dance — 
Of crystalline symmetry — skimmed around the shore, 
In vortices of light ; the world-queen there 



40 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Now mixing with the mirthful throng, now sole, 
Seeking in thought repose. Oh ! this, they cried, 
Is joy — the bliss of liberty. 

At once 
That senseless dream to dissipate, lo I there rushed. 
Out of a cave, with toppling crags o'erhung, 
A hugeous monster, such as never Night 
With murderer's mind engendered, when his heart 
Lay panting underneath the conscience pang — 
Like fawn beneath a wolf's jaw. Dragonlike 
In lengthening volumes stretched his further part, 
Incalculably curled ; but in the front. 
On one wide neck a hundred heads he reared. 
Which spake with every mouth a hundred tongues. 
Through teeth of serried daggers black with blood 
The breath he drew in day he breathed out night. 
And he descended to the sea to drink. 
Though close by his cave a cool bright river ran ; 
For it was thirst the monster better loved 
Than aught that thirst could quench. The abhorrent sea 
Shrank backwards, tide by tide ; but he pursued, 
Triumphing in its fascinating fear. 
Into the very midst ; — then gorged, returned, 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 41 

Soul-sodden to the shore, where prone he lay 
Before his horrid hold ; with stormy joy 
Gnashing his steely teeth, and with his tail. 
Now close contorted, and now far out launched, 
Sweeping the shiny slime of the wide sea sands. 

In still and dreadful wonder, grouped by fear, 
Astound and awestruck stood the duped allies 
Of the delusive strangers. Ceased at once 
The choir-maze astroeidal ; shouts of joy 
And gratulation, all ceased. 

First to speak 
Was one, the last who lapsed from pure estate. 

Be this the god ye serve ? — The god ye sware 
That we should this day see ? — Our god, said they. 

And are we bound to adore him who have passed 
Through your mysterious rules, and on us ta'en 
His worship by the oath of fire } 

Ye are, 
In tones of hate, replied the spirit chief, 



42 THC ANGEL WORLD. 

By whom that wise one told of, late, was lost — 
There standing as the hierophant of hell ; — 
Behold, ye are before him — bow the knee. 

And the vast monster smiled ; on every face 
A hot and lurid smile — like the red light 
Which hovereth o'er the earthquake yet unborn, 
Though quick. Oh woe ! 

When all — such answer made 
As heretofore recorded — with remorse 
Were smitten, and repentance, and aside 
Turned them to go ; — the hierophant exclaimed. 
Give to the mighty one his victim due ! 

Then those destroyers seized the angel youth 
Who first recanted his accursed oath. 
And cast him at the monster's feet, which cried. 
No more of these ignoble victims ; hence ! 
Bring me the royal bride, and I depart. 

Soon as these fearful words were heard, lament 

And consternation seized the greater half 

Of those there present — and most base resolve 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 43 

Filled up like molten lead the others' hearts. 

Which cruel purpose when the sister-queen 
Saw — to that living idol, fierce and foul, 
She knelt, and touched with natural sorrow, him 
Besought the child to spare. 

Take what, she said. 
Take all though wilt, but leave alone this one — 
My sweet and sacred sister. She with me 
Once in the happy past, and innocent, lived 
A pure perpetual blessing ; from her hand 
Came boundless bounties ; not a word she spake 
But seemed a benediction ; her bright heart 
With lovelight glowed, forever at the full. 
In days of old o'er all the orb she ranged. 
And reigned where'er she ranged. All things rejoiced 
In her ecstatic advent. By her touch 
The thrall a throned prince became ; the dead 
Dawned into life ; o'er all things spread the spell 
Of her resplendent presence. That they touched 
Her very footsteps gladdened, as the waves 
Leap into light and vanish in a smile. 
But now — because of deeds thou know'st too well. 



44 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Deeds, peradventure, for repentance meet — 
Immured, she lives the life of charity 
In the still precincts of her holy home, 
With many a lovely handmaiden around 
In starry palace templed, till the hour 
Of our celestial nuptials, as she deems, 
If sorrow have not wronged her reason — come. 
I, her rebukes of love have ofttimes borne 
And scorned, and heaped upon her infamies. 
Which she hath thrice forgiven ; but let her not 
Be out of life abolished, who hath done 
Such good, and been so harmless at the worst. 

Thou speakest as the she-fool only can — 
Retorted then the angry terror ; rise ! 
The very reasons thou dost name for life 
Are those wherefore I hate her unto death. 
Go ! thou thyself shall bind her to yon rock, 
Or I will slay ye both. His tongue then ceased 
Its frightful thunder-clang, nor spake he more. 

Meanwhile, those basest few who thought to win 
The tyrant monster's favour, and preserve 
Themselves from fatal end — death-threatened now 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 45 

Sought out the sorrowing maiden, and disguised 
In borrowed robes of cheerful thanksgiving, 
Entered the heavenly sanctuary wherein. 
At the high altar ministering she stood, 
Presaging sorrows soon to be fulfilled ; 
Predicting woes accomplished while foretold. 
These, in mock worship mingling with the rest. 
Yea even in mine own presence — for in her, 
'Midst all these woes, did I sole solace find — 
Her, sudden, seized and bound, and hurried off 
To a lone sea-crag, circled by the sea. 
And, for the monster's evening victim, left. 

Then vowed I to deliver her from her foes — 
And for the rescue armed. The lightning steed, 
Which pastures on the air, and is the sign 
Of the divine destruction of all worlds, — 
The sparkles of whose hoofs, in falling stars, 
Struck from the adamantine course of space. 
Stream o'er the skies, — in swift and solemn joy, 
Came trembling at my call. A lance of light, 
A sunbeam tempered in eternal fire, 
I in mine hand assumed, and forth we fared. 



46 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Wide o'er the waters rose a wail of woe 

With a fierce shout of exultation twined — 

For chained to a dark rock, rough and high, the sea 

Was loathly yielding back to land, — there stood — 

Arrayed in Paradisal purity 

Alone, that meek and innocent angel-maid ; — 

The monster wading greedily through the waves, 

Her to devour; — the angels, some aghast, 

Exulting some ; her sister as half-dead 

Fell fainting from her seat ; the light alone 

Of falling stars, with blinks of lightning mixed. 

Lamping the red horizon fitfully. 

Midway between the rock and the sea we met ; 

And though the creature bellowing would have fled. 

And have defiled the eye of light no more. 

Yet was I there to slay as well as save. 

The lance of light I couched ; and straight my steed. 

Who knew instinctive all his dread devoir. 

Drove on like an inevitable storm ; — 

The weight behind propelled the point before 

Through the whole monstrous mass, till in the heart, 

Quivering it stood, triumphant Down then dropped 

The soulless corse. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 47 

The beauteous captive's bonds 
I, instant, burst, and wrapped her sacred limbs, 
In the same robes I wore — of golden web 
And azure wove ; for forth I sped at first 
Of conquest confident, mine armour dight 
With trophies rich beseeming such event ; — 
And on the rock where long she swooning lay, 
Though conscious she was saved from direst death, 
I laid her, perfect in pure loveliness. 
And in that garb of glory. 

Then there came 
A voice, as of a star-cloud in the sky. 
Approving, and all blessing I had done ; 
Formed, too, beneath the cloud, a rainbow bright; 
From whose arch, falling as in circular wind, 
And in diminishing spires, this bird of light. 
The sign and augury of peace divine, 
GoD-missioned, hovered round me for a time, 
Then nestled in my bosom — as ye see. 

But not so from the orb, where still remained 
Those recreant spirits, who, with loud lament, 
Wept their extinguished god ; him to revive 



48 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Striving with all their strength. In vain they strove. 

Now, lest the venomous vapours of his corpse 

Should the whole sphere impost, it was decreed, 

By crown alike and lieges, all alarmed. 

To offer to the soul of the dead beast 

His body as a solemn holocaust ; — 

Nought else like worthy of such sacrifice. 

With a vast mass of pompous rights, the Queen, 

In sordid robes of false humility, 

And all her proudest subjects, head declined, — 

In mournful train, upon a mighty mound 

Upreared by the seaside, the heapy corpse 

Of the terrific slain laid out ; — and balked 

In their last complot, lo ! another seized 

Their souls — instinct with hate more murderous still 

Mine own destruction. 

Me, where I remained. 
Protecting her I honoured, they approached. 
Beseeching I would witness the last rites 
And public incremation of the dead, 
In proof that I with them was reconciled, 
Ere they for aye departed. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 49 

This I did — 
Knowing full well their most recondite sins 
And secretest intentions ; they the while 
Unknowing wholly mine. 

No sooner came 
I to the seat, in right opposal placed, 
To that despotic empress, than they urged 
Me to revivify the hateful frame — 
The incarnation of that fleshly hell, 
1 had, for her sake whom I loved, destroyed ; — 
But once for all their quest refused ; whereat. 
The throned one brake her sceptre in her wrath, 
And cried, — have done with him ! I own him not, 
And have forsworn him. Let him die his death. 

Thereto I answered not — within myself 
Secretly praying but that God would make 
The spirit fair concordant with the form, 
And whp was beauteous, lovely. 

They forthwith — 
Tempter and tempted hating me alike — 
Rushed on and bound me fast ; no sooner bound, — 

4 



50 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Than from the Heavenly Father of us all, 
All power I felt transfused into mine hands : 
Yet let them work their will, that all might be 
Accomplished in their nature, and the great 
Designs of God fulfilled which He sole knew. 

Three days and nights, or rather one long night. 

But by diverse degrees of darkness marked, 

Again it died, in foul offensive fumes 

Exhaled away ; so vast that carcass grim ; 

Around v/hose molten mass, too, the whole time 

Were fierce and bloody combats, tribe 'gainst tribe, 

In honour of the dead one, till at last. 

Me on that burning and abhorred bier — 

That carnal hell impersonate, all fire, 

Kemorseless cast they ; and their sin-palled eyes 

Perceived not tliat a Heaven-sent cloudlet caught 

Safe in its soft, cool bosom ; there create 

By love divine of God, that mercy might 

The dear decrees of judgment execute, 

And scathless free the Being bound and doomed. 

High upv/ards rose, then, in Heaven's darkening face, 
Wide wavering from innumerable tongues, 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 51 

Like to the desert sand-cloud or simoom, 

The columned execrations of the crowd, 

But far below me swept ; they neared not e'en 

The prospect of my feet. Such malice grieved — 

How grievous to the soul of love, all sin ! 

Yet need more made they should be won to God, 

Thus praying, I to the rock returned, where lay 

Entranced that lovely maiden of the main 

And stirless, still. Her straight I raised and bore, 

Gently and lovingly, within these arms. 

To a lone star as yet unblessed with life, 

Which round a larger and exterior orb. 

The central mirror of the world, wherein 

Are shadowed all things past and yet to come — 

Rolls restless in the Heavens, that so she might. 

Awakening, see new cause to bless her Lord. 

There, all enchanting, she enchanted lay ; 

Beheld of all, beloved of her kind ; 

I, guarding. 

Meanwhile, in that wretched orb 
Prevailed continuous night, and all things died 
That drew their life from light ; the flowers their life 



53 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Breathed out in incense, and the trees laid down 
Their leafy crowns, forlorn ; the herbal earth 
In withered, barren, senseless nakedness, 
Lay like a clayey corpse. 

How changed from that bright orb 
The rolling skies had erst rejoiced to see ; 
Whereto the orient sun was wont to send. 
As to some eaglet orb that loved the light, 
His earliest beam to wake the welcomer ; 
Signal to all of worship ! Now, alas ! 
Cloaked in impenetrable night it glode 
A black abomination through the skies, 
A reptile world abhorred of all and shunned. 
Then fire was used for light, and each one bare 
With him a pitchy torch which reeked of hell ; 
Supplied by those deceptive guests who now — 
Their doubtful shapes resumed — incited strife, 
Commutual hatred, war ; and ground to dust 
The victim of their mystic mockeries, 
Whh wrongs elaborate and self torturing sins. 

She who, so prompt to rule alone, had deemed 
Herself a Queen for aye they laughed to scorn, 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 53 

Deposed and dungeoned, chained as mad — and slain — 

But that their hate preserved her. There she lay, 

In wretchedness repentant, wrecked in soul ; 

Scarce floating on the ages. How she longed 

Then, for her sister's voice — and hoped 'gainst hope 

For other accent than her own lone lips 

Ke-echoed from the walls that coffined her ; — 

For one embrace once prized beyond all price ! 

But such desire as yet might nought avail. 

Be sure the Great Perfector hath well earned 

All that He gladdeneth over, as His own, 

Throughout the threefold world ; though Him it wrought 

Measureless dole, for the Divine is born 

Ever of bitterness ; and well I ween. 

Where sacrifice is not, is never fire. 

There lay the stricken despot humbled down 

Into a penitent angel, sad and meek. 

Bright city, hallowed temple down were razed — 
Nay, e'en their deep foundations rooted up ; 
The sacred groves were fired, and tree by tree. 
Charred into naked blackness ; all the soil 
Was grisly ashes only. Day and night 
The skies rang with the cries of myriads' woe. 



51 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



Till the stars shuddered, and the orb was shook 
Wherein I watched the awakening of the maid. 

Close by her feet, insculptured, on the couch 
Whereon she lay, was seen a child who held 
An hour glass in his hand. Ten times it turned 
Upwards and downwards ; at the twelfth it fell, 
And falling broke ; and as it fell, she rose ; 
Rose, like a lily bending o'er its stem. 
Gently until she stood. 

And hark, she cried, 
Beloved ! hearest thou not that wail of woe ? 
I know it, whence it comes. Oh let us hence 
Hasten, and Heaven beseech to save, to save ! 

Then stirred the dove divine, imbosomed here ; 

And I obeyed its impulse as of God, 

From whom it came ; and calling to my side 

A cloudlet — like a silver swan that sailed 

The deeps of air — we clasped its snowy down. 

And swiftly winged our way ; — till drawing nigh, 

Again, that dark apostate orb, the tears 

Of my beloved one fell like raindrops down. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



66 



Thus moved, I said unto the air, be fire ; 
And to the waters, be ye flames ; and straight 
It was so ; for it seemed but meet to purge 
The sanctuary in this wise, so defiled. 

From side to side, from end to end, it burned, 
From pole to pole it blazed — from sea to sea ; 
Till, in the central city of that sphere. 
Now shining ruins only, from the height 
Of one immoveable mountain monument, 
Forked like a double pyramid, which sole 
Survived the splendid wreck, was spied, far off 
On the horizon, the unbroken ring 
Of round beleaguering fire, which, swift as thought, 
The nations all into one death-doomed flock, 
Relentless, hunted. 

Midst this fiery woe, — 
Struck suddenly, as out of vertical space, — 
Once more the blazing swordstar shewed in Heaven ; 
Which many, fearful, deemed, if brandished then 
By the same hand as first, would cleave in twain 
Their self accursed sphere, and hurl its dust, 
With them, for aye, into the deadly void. 



56 THE ANGEL WORLD, 

Near and more near on waves of light it rode, 

Swiftly triumphing, and with blinding beam, 

Till full above the centre of the orb — 

The conflagration of the sphere self-quelled, 

As though in presence of a mightier power — 

Slowly descending, it alit at last. 

And upright stood ; — no more a flaming sword, 

But sunbright cross ; 'neath whose redemptive light, 

And restorative radiance, all the seeds 

Of life leapt upwards in the face of Heaven. 

There now it stands, and all who will, may live. 
Seeking its light. Alas for creature will ! 
The darkness and the light still stand opposed. 
Ceaseless, as is the war 'tween good and ill. 
Which win and lose eternally in turn ; 
While these vivific globules, stars y'cleped. 
Roll through the veins galactic of the heavens ; — 
So long as lasts creation. 

Go, I said, thou pure 
And selfless spirit ! Take thou this golden key, — 
Which saying, I from out my bosom took 
The true and triple key of all the worlds. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 57 

Which nought may let ; which opes whatever can 

Be shut, and shuts whatever be oped ; which turns 

The wards of Heaven's own gates of solid light, 

The portals of the palace of the Sun — 

No eye create shall else behold ; — and placed 

In her pure palm. This take and ope, I said, 

The prison wherein she groaning — dying — lies. 

Restore her to the vital light. Strike off 

The manacles from her hands ; and from her feet 

Loosen the gory fetters ; in her wounds 

Pour thou the oil of peace, and wash with streams 

Of living waters. Clothe her with thyself 

As thou art clothed. Oh cheer her heart with hope 

And inspiration of thy faith, and say 

I sent thee to redeem her. Tell her, still. 

My love hath never altered ; not in grief, — 

In passion not, not in disgrace, nor guilt ; — 

Howe'er inconstant her heart, or opposed, 

Her love I with an everlasting love ; — 

The one am I unchanging ; — what beside 

Thou wilt, for thou canst only utter truth. 

Go ! and may He who over-orders all. 

Speed thee upon thy quest. 



58 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

She, wordless, went, 
But looked her thanks — which seemed to promise full 
Accomplishment of precept — on a wind 
Wafting herself away. 

I, who, while all 
That dark defection reigned, had warned in vain — 
Now having seen in recompense most dear 
Heaven's own eternal standard planted there, 
As in all orbs, triumphant ; and once more 
By this dear monitor, this God-gift moved, 
That sphere to quit ; — first in myself resolved 
The mighty stream of Time to pass, which bounds 
And separates the realms of sense and soul 
From Heaven's eternal spirit-land, that I, 
Might to the sire of all which live, present 
For all, the supplications of my heart ; — 
And that the prayerful love of that bright maid 
For her beloved sister, might receive 
The seal of God's acceptance. 

On this high 
And arduousest emprise behold me bound ; — 
Yet, ere I left my cloudlet car, whence late 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 59 

I marked that world-wreck, once again I gazed 
Thitherward, and beheld before the gates 
Of a half-buried palace — black as death, 
Its marble portals — locked in blest embrace, 
The well-beloved twain. 

A voice then spake — 
The voice of one joy-hearted, soft and clear 
As bells at early morn, on that blest day, 
Named in the breast-laws of each starry orb. 
Wherein Eternity entwines with Time 
Its golden strands, and weds the world to Heaven ; — 
Arise ! come forth, beloved sister, rise. 
How blest am I to serve thee, to release ! 
Nor doubt, nor wait. Behold thy handmaid me. 
Gifts bring I for thee, gifts of countless price — 
Of priceless worth. Thy lover Lord commands 
Array thee for the bridals. Lo ! the new 
And shining robes, by heavenly fingers wrought, — 
Fit for the form divine of her whose love 
Is hallowed in the eternal rites of Heaven. 
So shall we dwell together here in bliss. 
Till He shall come who ever comes to all 
His promise sanctifies. Improve the hour 



60 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Which yet remains, in all obedience clear ; 
And deck thyself in weeds of righteousness, 
With jewels of good deeds adorned, and clad 
In golden garments redolent of praise. 
For infinite is every gift of His 
Divine bestowing ; and Salvation's cup, 
And Nature's, He to overflowing fills. 

With joy I heard — I saw. Nor longer then 

Awaited, but where most the starlands crowd 

The potent north, soared upwards, space by space, 

And firmament by firmament of stars. 

Leaving in turn behind ; passing unharmed 

Upon the verge of Being, where the path 

Narrows to almost nothing, the monsters foul 

Earth-dust and Death-night — things ye know not of — 

Yet fatal beasts to all who, me before, 

That way had urged. But God hath favoured me. 

And nigh thereto, the Golgotha of worlds — 

The charnel-house of Time — where skull-like orbs, 

Extinct of life, with rotten, sickly light. 

Defiled the purview, and advance delayed ; 

Yet shrinking nought, though shuddering, passed I on, 

Through all uncleanness, clean, all foulness, pure. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 61 

Hungered, athirst and faint with fasting, still, 
My purposed way I held, till bright afar. 
The kindly radiance of this angel world 
Beaconed me hither — and I came. Ye now, 
Thanks for your holy hospitality. 
Behold me journeying to the city of God, 
There to prefer my prayers, and plead for those 
Whom still I love, though drawn aside to trust 
The natural strength allotted them, and not — 
With sole reliance — God ; who thus to all 
By failure e'en of angels, when He wills, 
Asserts in all. His high supremacy. 

Let whoso feels in holy will inspired. 
Me to accompany, speak — to that bright throne 
Where God, our Father, in all glory sits. 
The world in holy audience at His feet ; — 
And there with me, while giving praise for all. 
His word hath made and saved, for those not yet 
Redeemed, pray ceaselessly. 

Uprising then 
As 't were a constellation, suddenly, 
Seven of those gracious angels pressed around, 



63 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Eager for friendly escort ; when the chief 
Cherub who welcomed first that pilgrim bright, 
Thus said ; — Another holy day, made blest 
By our dear guest — how different he from those 
Deceptive friends he tells of ! — hath now slid 
Into the passive strength-restoring night ; 
Rest also ye. 

Such is mine own intent, 
Replied the eloquent guest ; and less for that. 
These life-tried limbs have gone through, than their 

sakes. 
Who know not half the flight they meditate. 

Then worship before rest ; as was the wont 

In every alternation of the day, 

Ere action, or refreshment, or repose. 

Last, on their happy couches, odorous all 

Of flowery incense, lay the angels down ; 

Shading their faces with the plumy gold 

Of their space searching pinions ; sacred sleep 

Stealing the starry wonders of their eyes. 

And with divinest visions hallowing all. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 63 

Morn, like a maiden glancing o'er her pearls, 
Streamed o'er the manna-dew, as though the ground 
Were sown with starseed ; — and the angels rose, 
Each from his hallowed couch, and — duly made 
The sole oblation of the heart to God — 
Stood ready for departure ; taking leave, 
For a brief space, of their beloved compeers ; 
With many an ardent longing for the way. 
As yet untried — 'neath such sweet leadership. 

At length the last embrace, last look, exchanged, 

High upward the bright bevy, like to light 

Out of the crowned north, — shot ; on and on, 

Through firmamental fields of furthest space, 

Till at the brink of a vast river they, 

Arriving, halted, which pervaded Heaven ; — 

Swift as a cataract, yet unbroken, still 

And level as the mean line of the sea. 

Thick with chaotic matter and unformed — 

Like the volcanic blood which bounds unseen 

In veins of lightning through earth's cavernous heart — 

Mid ruined orbs, like broken ice-lumps, rolled, 

Melting and crumbling, to the ocean deeps 

Of vast eternity, it gushed along. 



64 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Its depths were darkness self; but every wave, 
Which curled out of the mass, seemed light alive, 
Though but an instant. 

On an eminent height. 
Which overpeered the stream, the angels sate. 
Then said the angel leader to the rest. 
What see ye past the river ? And they said, 
We nothing see beyond. Athwart this stream. 
If stream it be — and not a shoreless main — 
Is more than we can ken. 

But I, returned 
The questioner, see beyond the clear bright land 
Of Heavenly immortality, mine own 
By birthright and by gift ; and thither, we. 

Descending to the shore, he stooped, and dipped 
Into the stream his hand ; which filling full, 
He tasted, and thus spake. Ye waters — once 
Of death — but now of life eternal, take 
Back the libation I have made of ye ; 
And be ye changed for ever. Uttering this, 
He cast the dark remainder in the flood. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 65 

That instant changed into a flood of life, 
Flashing with light celestial to its depths 
Of bottomless infinitude ; — and straight, 
Grasping the bright branch of an olive tree. 
Which bowed with verdant gold the peaceful shore, 
He therewith sprinkled, one by one, the band 
Who him accompanied ; with these pure rites 
Making them free, initiate into Heaven, 
And death the lesser mysteries of life. 

The solemn marvel of these gladsome deeds, 

Each heart lit up with self-evolving joy. 

And round him all stood linked in one embrace. 

Behold, he said ; for fit it is that now 

We keep our course ; and close below there lay, 

Moored but a little distance from the side, 

A crescent-boat, translucent as a star. 

Wherein they all embarked, in godly dread. 

If lightning were the gross corporeal frame 
Of some angelic essence, whose bright thoughts 
As far surpassed in keen rapidity. 
The lagging action of his limbs as doth 

5 



66 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Man's mind his clay ; with like excess of speed 

To animated thought of lightning, flew 

That moon-horned vessel o'er life's deeps divine; — 

Far past the golden isles of memory 

Where only names exist and things are not ; 

Mingled wherewith a cloudy counterpart 

Mocks every islet, and therein are lost 

Those upon whom the bright seductive sea 

Smiles wreckful ; and sincerest smoothness feigns. 

They went, they knew not how. It was as though 

The finite, mingling with the infinite. 

Produced an utter ravishment and sense 

Of o'erabundant reason. At the last. 

Heaven's azure shores they made, and leapt on land, 

Scarce had they touched that land of life, when lo ! 

From every footfall, like soft waves of light, 

A murmuring music sprang, as if its own 

It welcomed to its bosom, with soft joy 

Rejoicing inwardly. The sacred soil. 

To this premortal music vibrating. 

The same w^hich Faith hears in the still of Time — 

Their chief saluted ; kneeling, likewise, they. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 67 

Then he embraced them all and each in turn. 

Here let us build, said he, a tower of light ; 

That all upon the further side may know 

We have in safety crossed the flood. Himself 

Placed the foundation-stone, and one by one, 

Masses of dazzling adamant which starred 

The shining shore, like flowers that fringe the banks 

Of woodland brook, they piled up altarwise 

At his command. On every stone engraved, 

In gleamy darkness, was the name of God ; 

For every star a stone ; and every name 

A separate title symbolizing love. 

A sheaf of lightning on the head he placed. 

Which with the skies innate communion held. 

And burned in correspondence. Thus was all 

With the pure blessing of perfection crowned. 

Their journey called them on ; and pleased they trode 

That land of solid concord ; yet not long 

The lower line of progress kept. Aloft 

Once more they stretched the light-related wing, 

High in the face of Heaven's eternal towers. 

Which still immeasurably distant shewed, 



68 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Of soul enkindling brilliance, and a power, 

Light-uttering splendour, that at first appeared 

Enough to quench their lesser beam. But this 

As they approached them strengthened, and enlarged, 

In heart and effluence. Whilst the happy seven 

Were marvelling at such change, inwrapt in thought, 

Lost in the labyrinth of boundless love. 

Self-humbled by the glory on them poured. 

They found that Heaven was close to them ; and they 

The shining basement of the walls had reached 

Of the celestial citv, which did itself 

Enclose, or seemed, the essential universe ; — 

And standing by the glowing gate of prayer. 

About to enter, missed their stranger friend. 

In holy wonder lost, still greater now. 

Each to the other turned, yet nothing spake. 

For silence sealed each tongue. But straight on high 

A voice spake for them, saying — Enter ye. 

For I am He who led ye hither ; I 

Who lead ye still, the Son. Then rushed on all, 

Like eagre swallowing up its streamy way. 

The whole mysterious truth. And they obeyed 

The word magnetic, the divine constraint. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 69 

They entered. All was silent. One sole voice, 
Through the serene eternity of Heaven, 
Streamed upwards towards the Ineffable ; — nor harp, 
Nor hymn, nor breath beside ; nor thought, nor hope 
Of all Creation, but therein was bound. 

Father, He said, I pray for all the worlds, 

Whom Thou, by these creating hands, hast made. 

And linked with mine. Though fallen they be by sin, 

Through trusting in themselves, and not in Thee, 

Let not imperfect nature, tried by Thy 

Perfection, their eternal ruin prove. 

Rather let me that glory I partake 

With Thee, to them dispense, that Heaven's pure light 

The darkness of the world may clarify. 

And Time, impregned by Thy pure Spirit, bring forth 

Divine eternity ; death's bitter flood 

O'erpast, the pure regeneration come 

To all life, saved and sanctified to Thee. 

He ceased ; and, issuant from the eternal throne, 
Came like a cloud of light, the bright response, 
The Godhead in expression, uttering love 
In laws more broad than light, which thus were known. 



70 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Son ! for Thy sake I make the world mine own ; 

For Thy sake hallowed, and in Thee redeemed, 

The universal life exempt from sin. 

That love which founded first the skyey stars 

Shall see no bound, and so be satisfied 

With sempiternal ingrowth. World on world,- 

The illuminated missal of the skies, 

Thou turnest, leaf by leaf, in turn shall close. 

Thy spirit only, which Thyself hast poured 

Into the worlds of life, shall live for aye, 

And in this presence, as the angel man. 

Acknowledging his Lord and Thee his love. 

In everlasting union all shall dwell 

With Thee, who giving up the joys of Heaven, 

And union with the One. for life discerpt. 

And spheres of shining sadness, madest Thyself, 

Sinless, a perfect sacrifice for sin. 

Therefore in Thee shall sin and death be sanctified. 

And flesh made spirit, human nature made 

Divinity, vice virtue, and earth Heaven. 

As in creating light, is night destroyed, 

So every bodily organ shall be changed 

Into a spirit-sense ; and human power 

Into divinest faculty ; each fault 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 71 

Into a pure possession and stronghold. 

Behold ! the worlds Thou prayedst for, all are Thine ; 

And that in chief I gave Thee, recreant once — 

To bliss restored and glorified in grace, 

Made happier and diviner far than first, 

The earnest of the harvest of the skies ; — 

Behold it at Thy feet : the creature lures 

Of mystery and idolatry, become 

Pure faith and simple worship; the blazing sword, 

Whose firebirth of incendiary sins 

Wrapped at the last in pitchy flames the orb 

Of stainless beauty, so created — now 

Transformed, the fateful mysteries of the cross 

Foreshadows and confirms. Lo, there it stands ; 

And all thou prayedst for, perfected ere prayed. 

God said ; responsive silence caught the words, 
And hid them in her heart, as night the stars. 

Glowing and sparkling in the life-rayed sun 
Of the celestial firmament, glided up 
On pinions wide of playful lightnings poised. 
That sphere Elysian consummate in bliss. 
And all the angels thereto bent their gaze 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 



As stars in nightly council watch the earth. 

Then looked and saw, three paces from the light, 

'Midst of that pure and renovated orb, 

Beside the gardened bank of a bright stream, 

A fair and lofty lady, clad in robes 

Of seagreen hue, engirdled with a zone 

All variously tinct, and round her brow, 

Encrowned with peaks of quivering fire, a veil 

Of heavenly azure. In one hand she held 

A tower, and in the other hand a tree. 

Sat at her feet a melancholy maid. 

Pale, perfect, and serene, between whom passed 

A mutual smile of sympathy and trust. 

As though their lot were linked ; yet knew they not 

How, nor the invisible presence of the Heavens. 

These, as they both intently eyed, at last 

One to the other spake. Sweet Sister, mine. 

Sleep thou, and let me wait his coming sole. 

Me He expects to watch, but would not thou. 

Thereon, that lovely lady laid her down 

Below a rock, whereby, in woods embowered, 

And scented with all flowers, the river flowed, — 

Her last words, watch ; in sooth. He will not come 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 73 

Or not to me, who wrought him so great bale. 

And the sun set ; still watched the maiden meek, 
And at midnight she prayed. 

My Lord, my God ! 
Thine is the Spirit which commands and smiles ; 
The soul which serves and suffers ; — Thine the stars 
Tabled upon Thy bosom like the stones 
Oracular of light, on the priest's breast ; 
Thine the minutest mote the moonbeams shew ! 
Let but Thy words come true, and all are blest ; 
Be but Thine infinite intents fulfilled, — 
And what shall foil the covenanted oath 
Whereon the mounded earth is based ? — and lo ! 
The whole at last redeemed and glorified. 

While thus she prayed. Heaven looking on, came down 

From His eternal heights the Angel-GoD, 

Upon whose breast the sun blazed ; and He stood 

Between them ; and the lady rose all pale ; 

But the mild maiden gladdened in her heart. 

The Angel took the maiden by the hand, 



74 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

And said, O thou who watchedst and hadst faith, 
What shall be thy reward ? 

If I, she said. 
Have done well, 't was from reverence of Thee 
And love of Thy divine love ; she, alas. 
Being infinitely worthier of Thy heart. 
Predestined from the first to Thy bright breast, 
Than I the thousand virtues to proclaim. 
Which own Thee Lord for ever. What though sin, 
Serpent-like, fanged her, and she fell, I knew 
That Thou by touch couldst heal her, and Thy power 
To do good equally by Thy will to do, 
AVhose love is world-wide. Were there due to me 
Of guerdon aught, it should be still to serve 
And dwell with both for aye. Be, then, to her 
The vow performed first promised, and let my 
Betrothal, Lord ! in her espousals end. 

Then whelmed with gratitude, the royal dame, 

In all her bridal beauty cast her down 

And clasped her handmaid's knees and wept aloud. 

But her the Angel raised and dried her tears, 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 75 

With His serenest smiles, and blessed them both. 
,, Come ye with me, He said, beloved come ! 
I The handmaid's faith hath saved the mistress throne. 

Be one my sister, and be one, my bride ; 

Each than the other dearer, more divine. 

The world's wide doomring is the land I rule, 

My home is Heaven, and mine inheritance 

Both shall enjoy, predestinate of God. 

The Father to the Son gives all in Time, 

The Son restores all in Eternity 

Unto His Sire ; and I myself to Him. 

Then, one by either hand. He led them up ; 
This, with the holy presence and august, 
Most like the mother goddess, city crowned, 
Now tiar'd as with the towers of Paradise ; 
That, with the lucid crescent on her brow, 
To the high seats of old prepared for both. 

And all the angels and the spirits blest. 
They who had erred, and they who taught to err — 
Along with those, who wise and pure withstood 
Temptation, yet now wisest, humblest were — 



76 THE ANGEL WORLD. 

Dwelt in that sphere, concentric with the Sun, 
Which ruled the skies supernal ; and they passed 
Upward and downward as best listed them. 

And Wisdom passed amidst them, like a thought 

Among a gladsome circle. And the face 

Of all the orbs was changed. Then, too, was seen 

The great unveiling of all mysteries, 

Creation glorified : in childlike calm. 

Lapped in the mantle of eternal rest. 

The jubilant song swelled circling through the courts 

Of everlasting joy, like a round wave, 

Till it suffused all life, and touched the stars 

On the unlimited eye-line of pure space. 

Smiled the Eternal Son, who can alone 
Behold the Invisible and Heaven then saw, 
Reflected in the face of Him Divine, 
Born of the Light as eye glance of the Eye, 
The unseen likeness of the Ineffable One ; 
Each like the other as the skv and sea, 
Imbosoming the imaged Infinite. 



THE ANGEL WORLD. 77 

The Son Eternal smiled ; and from his throne 
Stretched out the hand of blessing o'er the world ; 
And blest it was — for ever — blest it is. 



THE RETURIs\ 



They come, from the ends of the earth, 

White with its aged snows ; 
From the bounding breast of the tropic tide, 

Where the day-beam ever glows ; — 
From the east where first they dwelt, 

From the north, and the south, and the west, 
j Where the sun puts on his robe of light, 
' And lays down his crown to rest. 



Out of every land they come — 

Where the palm triumphant grows, 
Where the vine overshadows the roofs and the hills, 

And the gold-orbed orange glows ; 



THE RETURN. 79 

Where the olive and fig-tree thrive, 

And the rich pomegranates red, 
Where the citron blooms, and the apple of ill 

Bows down its fragrant head. 

From the lands where the gems are born — 

Opal and emerald bright ; 
From shores where the ruddy corals grow. 

And pearls with their mellow light ; 
Where silver and gold are dug, 

And the diamond rivers roll, 
And the marble white as the still moonlight 

Is quarried, and jetty coal ; — 

They come — w^ith a gladdening shout ; 

They come — with a tear of joy ; 
Father and daughter, youth and maid, 

Mother and blooming boy. 
A thousand dwellings they leave, 

Dwellings — but not a Home ; 
To them there is none but the sacred soil, 

And the land whereto they come. 



80 THE RETURN. 

And the Temple again shall be built, 

And filled as it was of yore ; 
And the burden be lift from the heart of the world. 

And the nations all adore ; 
Prayers to the throne of Heaven 

Morning and eve shall rise, 
And unto and not of the Lamb 

Shall be the sacrifice. 



HYMN OF THANKS 



Through pain and through peril, temptation and harm, 
We are saved by His love, for the Lord lent His arm ; 
By the sea's bounding wave and the blue river's rim, 
As the morn grew up bright, or as eve came down dim, 
By the cliff and the beach, and the mountain's bleak 

brow, 
We have knelt — for we felt — then, and ever, as now ; 
By the stones of the street — or the green valley's sod. 
Was the light of the Lord, and Thy Glory, O God ! 

From the strength of the storm and the grasp of the sea. 
And the lightning's red wrath. Heaven ransomed are 

we ; 
From the arms of the forceful, the wiles of the base. 
We have turned to Thee, Lord ! and Thy comforting 

face ; 

6 



82 HYMN OF THANKS. 

In the courts of the Idols we thought on Thy power, 
And shrank not, nor bowed in the terrible hour, — 
Our life, and our all, at a savage's nod. 
But were saved to Thee, Lord ! and Thy glory, O God. 

By fountain and garden, and palace and grove, 
Where the gay and the beautiful gather to rove ; 
Where the vine o'er the violet flourishes green. 
And the roses fill up the soft season between ; 
Where the temples are worthy of God to behold, 
And the altars are blazing with jewels and gold ; 
Wherever we travelled — or voyaged — or trod - • 
Was the light of the Lord, and Thy glory, God ! 



A U T U M N . 



'T IS Autumn — and the winds are high 
And storm-clouds scud across the sky ; 
The yellow groves on Dee's dark side 
Grow paler each approaching tide, 
As though they feared the rising waves 
Would sweep them to untimely graves. 

No flowers are now with dew-lit eye 
To lure the light breeze loitering by ; 
No roses shed their rich perfume 
From hearts just hid in sweets and gloom ; 
But barren stem and withered leaf 
Are all that 's left for love and grief. 

Behind yon hills which fence the west 
The sun sets on the sea's wild breast ; 



84 AUTUMN. 

Not as in summer time he went 

A warrior to his crimson tent, 

While all the glory of the world 

Stood waving like a flag unfurled 

Around him, as the bright one bowed, 

And laid him on a golden cloud ; 

But wan and weary, sick and dim, 

He dies, and Heaven seems nought to him : 

So glares the dying on the dead, 

Stretched upon battle's gory bed. 

The clouds, careering swift on high. 
In continents overspread the sky ; 
And mists come reeking up the plain. 
And pattering quick the chilling rain, 
And sullen l\Joel Famma shrouds 
Her column-crowned head in clouds. 

From Grosvenor's woods are falling fast 
The leaves beneath the loosening blast ; 
Yet lovelier now those groves appear 
Than in the noontide of the year. 
Where crimson blends with deepest green, 
And brown and amber glow between ; 



AUTUMN. 85 

So sunset hath the richest sky, 
So saints look happiest as they die. 

The floods are flowing, and the Dee 
Rolls black and swollen to the sea ; 
Yet still by fits that haunted stream 
Flickers beneath the moon's pale beam, 
Like a face smiling through a dream. 
And mine, a stranger's footstep falls 
Round my ancestral city's walls. 
Beneath the steep sharp-slanted shade 
By moonlight from the minster made — 
In silence, for no soul is nigh 
To brave or love the storm but I 



THE RING. -A BALLAD 



(( 



Thus to a fair Venetian maid, 
The proudest of the train, 

With which the Doge went forth arrayed 
To wed his vassal main. 
This very day," her lover said, 
Will Venice go the sea to wed.'' 



*' Now tell me, lady, what to do. 

To win this hand of thine ; 
I '11 risk both soul and body too, 

For such a prize divine." 
'' I '11 have the bridal ring," said she, 
" Wherewith the Doge will wed the sea." 

Came forth the Doge and all his train, 
And sailed upon the sea ; 



THE RING. A BALLAD. 87 

The banners waved, and music's strain 

Rose soft and heavenwardly ; — 
And blue waves raced to seize the ring 
Which glided through them glittering. 

The lover through the bright array- 
Rushed by the Doge's side : — 

A plunge — and plume and mantle gay 
Lay lashing on the tide ; 

He heard a shriek, but down he dived, 

To follow where the ring arrived. 

He sought so long, that all above 

Behoved him gone for aye. 
Nor knew they 't was his haughty love 

Who shrieked and swooned away. 
At length he rose to light — half-dead — 
But held the ring above his head. 

The lady wept — the lover smiled — 

She had not deemed he would 
Have dared it, — was a foolish child — 

And loved as none else could. 



88 THE RING. A BALLAD. 

" Take it and be a faithful bride 
To death," the lover said, and died. 

The lady to a convent hied, 
And took the holy vows, 

And was till death a faithful bride 
To her Eternal spouse. 

And then the ring her lover gave 

They buried with her in the grave. 



TO THE TRENT. 



Of all the rivers in the land, 

Thee most I love, fair Trent, 
For in thy stream and by thy banks 

My happiest hours I 've spent. 
'Twas there, hard bye, I first drew breatli, 

There hope to end my days ; 
And every where I '11 tell till death 

My native river's praise. 

Oh ! Shannon hath a wilder shore, 

And Thames a richer freight. 
And silver-linked Forth is banked 

By more baronial state ; 
But neither hath a purer wave, 

Nor deeper, stiller stream ; 



90 TO THE TRENT. 

'T is quiet as a grassy grave, 
Or a saint's dying dream. 

Let me, in sunshine or in storm, 

Still linger by her side ; 
I '11 alvvay look on her with love, 

And speak of her with pride. 
By rock and mead, and grove and isle, 

She goes from deep to deep ; 
I love her in her dawning smile, 

And in her sunset sleep. 

And when she riseth with the rain, 

And bringeth forth her flood. 
And sweeps up to the high town's foot 

Her spoil of field and wood, — 
I love her more than ever then, 

For then she hath her will ; 
And over mounds and herds and men 

She bears the victory sti.l. 

May such a calm triumphant course 
To sacred souls be given. 



TO THE TRENT. 1)1 

That, river-like, though born on earth, 

They image only Heaven : 
And tending ever towards the light. 

In this their earthly race, 
Meet, mixing with eternity. 

In joy, their Maker's face. 



AN ANCIENT LEGEND 



A STONE stands in a rustic town 

Which once the neighbouring hill did crown ; 

Nigh to the house of God it lay 

Before 't was set where now it stands, 

And how and why there, graybeards say, 

Was ne'er the work of mortal hands. 

But list, and ye eftsoons shall know. 

From runes translated into rhyme, 

How saint and fiend would have it so 

Far back within the olden time. 

That holy church stands fair and free. 
Those festive bells peal merrily. 
As well they might and still they may 
On many a bright autumnal day. 



AN ANCIENT LEGEND. 93 

When both in hostel, cot, and hall, 
They hold the village festival. 

The godly rustics on that day 
At church had met to praise and pray. 
And thank the Giver of all good, 
Through Him that died upon the rood. 
For harvests stored and daily food ; 
And as saint Wilfrid's care they claimed, 
Oft in their prayers his name was named. 

At morn, at noon, at eventide. 
Their task the merry ringers plied. 
Pealing each time with joy increased 
A welcome to the rustic feast. 

But it roused the wrath of the fell fiend. 
As high o'er minster-fane he leaned, 
In the dim glooming of the day 
Blent with the moonlight's silvery gray. 
Quoth he, " I hate that holy peal. 
Yon festal church my wrath shall feel." 

lie said ; and from the stately lands. 



94 AN ANCIENT LEGEND. 

Whereon the high cathedral stands, 
He heaved a huge gray granite stone 
Erst as a Druid's altar known ; 
And lifting it between his teeth, 
And three times scantly drawing breath, 
Wide on the air his arms he spread 
And dropped it on'the minster's head ; 
E'en as an eagle drops a hare 
Brought for her callow younglets' fare. 

Upon the main tower straight he stands, 
And as he glanced o'er field and fell, 
He weighed the weapon in his hands 
And took his aim and distance well ; 
And when the moon's last glimmering ray 
Died on the tall church spire away, 
Three hours he gazed it through the dark, 
Nor winked his eye once on the mark. 
As midnight tolled, for mightiest then 
Is all demoniac power o'er men. 
The rock he raised — Foul fiend forbear ! - 
And hurled it hurtling through the air. 

Saint Wilfrid, from his seat above, 



AN ANCIENT LEGEND. 9& 

Where with the blest, whose deathless days 
Are passed 'tween deeds of sacred love 
And their adored Redeemer's praise, 
Cast on the house of praise and prayer, 
The object of his hallowed care, 
One glance, and marked the missile fly 
Midway betwixt the earth and sky. 

A momentary prayer he made ; 

And there the mighty mass was stayed ; 

Aloft in air the altar hung, 

As moveless as before 'twas flung. 

Then spake saint Wilfred : " Baflied fiend, 
What evil can from Heaven be screened ? 
Though in the depth of midnight thou 
Didst ween to crush yon pile below, 
Yet know that to celestial eyes 
Divinest daylight never dies. 
And saints defend the things they love, 
As God protects the saints above. 
While men invoke their holy names, 
And on their prayers for succour call, 



96 AN ANCIENT LEGEND. 

So long shall saints fulfil their claims, 
So long their shrines shall never fall." 

He ceased ; the air-arrested rock 
Fell earthwards with a harmless shock, 
A long half mile beyond the bound 
Of the good church's hallowed ground. 
The Demon, balked, made off in rage. 
And the stone slept for many an age. 

And still — a startling sight I ween — 

'I'he foul fiend's teeth-dints may be seen ; 

And still, though gray and wondrous old. 

The stone itself is never cold, 

But keeps within its fated forni 

A gust of the fiend's fire-breath warm. 



LONDON 



I LOVE thee, London ! for thy many men, 

And for thy mighty deeds and scenes of glory ; 

For all great thoughts and things into thy story 
Drain themselves — of the heart or hand or pen. 
I love thee in all hours : the most, though, when 

The busy heart of universal man 

Seems throbbing through thee, without pause or plan, 
Yet, haply well, to God's all loving ken. 

Thou art the greatest thing on the earth's face 
That man hath made ; thou art what man can do. 

Look on it. Lord ! and greaten it with Thy grace. 
Hundreds of shrines therein are Thine ; — too few. 

Let the world worship God ! ye cities, bow ! 
And last and lowest, thou, proud London, thou ! 

7 



A RUIN 



In a cot-studded, fruity, green deep dale. 

There grows the ruin of an abbey old ; 

And on the hill side, cut in rock, behold 
A sainted hermit's cell ; so goes the tale. 
What of that ruin ? There is nothing left 

Save one sky-framing window arch, which climbs 
Up to its top point, single stoned, bereft 

Of prop or load. And this strange thing sublimes 
The scene. For the fair great house, vowed to God, 

Is hurled down and unhallowed ; and we tread 
O'er buried graves which have devoured their dead ; 

While over all springs up the green-lifed sod. 
And arch, so light and lofty in its span — 
So frail and yet so lasting — tis like man. 



A FRAGMENT 



As in a round wide view from some tall hill, 

Central and isolate, it happeneth oft 

The furthest things on all sides eyeable 

Are village temples tapering to the skies. 

Be such, too, the horizon of the soul ; 

And every ultimate object, unto Heaven 

Calmly aspiring, indicate its end. 

And sanctify the limits of our life. 

For as, in gentlest exhalations, earth 

Breathes forth the glistening steams which high in air 

Glow, sunlipped, into clouds of rosy gold. 

Or seek again her breast in fruitful dew ; 

So of our aspirations and desires. 

Might we endow the skyey calm of life 

With retributive blessings, and a clime 

Of love create about us bright and boon ; 



100 A FRAGMENT. 

An everlasting spring of holy good, 

And venerable beauty. But, alas ! 

Men breathe forth passions which fall back in blights, 

And stormy desolations, that defile 

The sky-born streams, and flood life's fields with woe. 

The evil in our nature we can act 

Always and utter ; but the inner good 

Hath inexpressive boundlessness. Earthlike, 

Each carries with him his own atmosphere, 

Or pure or foul, where'er we orbitate. 



LOVERS 



The rose is weeping for her love, 

The Nightingale ; 
And he is flying fast above, 

To her he will not fail. 
Already golden eve appears, 

He wings his way along ; 
Ah ! look, he comes to kiss her tears. 

And soothe her with his song. 

The moon in pearly light may steep 

The still blue air ; 
The rose hath ceased to droop and weep, 

For lo ! her love is there. 

He sings to her, and o'er the trees 

She hears his sweet notes swim ; 
The world may weary ; she but sees 

Her love, and hears but him. 



A MYTH 



Apollo laid his lyre upon a stone ; 

The stone was seized with music ; and the touch 
Of mortal could awake the god's own tone 

For ever after. Marvel ye not much. 
Wherever God may choose, or man may dwell, 
This is an ever acting miracle. 

When once the gift of Godlike poesy 

Hath touched the heart, it answers everything 

In its own tongue, but with a harmony 

Instinct of Heaven. Let the world, then, fling 

Its arms of honour round the Poet's breast. 

And Heaven may hear Earth's music, and have rest. 






MORNING. 



She comes ! how lovely are her smiles. 

The ever glorious morn ! 
Up from old Ocean and his isles, 

Her rosy chariot borne 
By the winged steeds of Light, 
Spurning far the shades of night ; 
While Darkness gathers round her head 
Her heavy wings which late lay spread 

Wide o'er the sleeping world ; 
She quits her throne ; she flies away — 
She flings up her usurped way — 

To shame and exile hurled. 
Thus, Falsehood, fly, in that blest hour. 
When Truth takes up for aye her long lost right and 
power ! 



104 MORNING. 



11, 



The goddess beautiful and bright ! 

She waves her hand on high, 
And straight the Sun pours forth his might 

And splendour o'er the sky. 
The wakeful lark now leaves her nest, 
And bears to Heaven the guileless breast ; 
The eagle rushes strong from rest. 
To meet and prove his burning gaze 
Upon the Sun's congenial blaze, 

And steal his golden hue ; 
Above the sphere of earth to soar. 
Till e'en the native cliff no more 

Points to his piercing view ; 
Hail, mighty winged creature, there 
May none thy high dominion share ; 
King of the trackless, sightless, boundless air ! 



Ill, 



And hail, Aurora ! still by thee 
Our mother Earth 's caressed ; 

And in return we worship thee. 
Yea, all pronounce thee blest. 



MORNING. 105 

Lo ! they come from greenwood bowers, 
Bands of maids with fresh-culled flowers ; 
To thee no death doomed lamb they bring, 
Nor burned, nor blood stained offering, 

To deck thy turfy shrine ; 
But swiftly, gaily, borne aloft 
By healthful breeze, thy favours oft 
They tell, thy name divine. 
Oh ! grant their prayers, inspire their praise. 
While unto thee their pure and thankful chant they raise. 



IV. 



Fair Morn ! though light and fleet thy stay, 
Though brief, thy brilliant smile. 

Yet balances the frowns of day. 

The world's great woes, and wile ; 

Worship of self and gust for gain. 

And all the rudeness of that reign 

Which worldly usage doth maintain. 

I dearly love to look on thee. 

For thou an earnest art to me 

Though short thine earthly stay. 

Of time to come when woe shall die, 



106 MORNING. 

And vice and falsehood both shall fly, 

Oh happy, holy day ! 
Then shall the just soul heavenward borne, 
Leaving the dust garb it had worn, 
With holy passion hail Immortal Morn ! 



A MYSTERY 



Friend ! many a year hath passed 

Since last I clasped thine hand — 
It may be we shall meet no more 

Till in the Heavenly land ; 
Still grief can ne'er erase, nor joy 

Eclipse, the bliss hath been ; 
And us one ceaseless, burning thought 

Still oscillates between. 

And yet another name there is, — 

The fates ask always three — 
With thine, dear friend, and mine conjoined, 

In endless unity ; 
Yet all are severed, as by death, 

At destiny's command ; 
And though a thousand read these lines 

But twain shall understand. 



PRAYER 



Yea ! even here as everywhere, let man 
Worship his Recreator, and the world 's 
Made perfect by preliminary fire. 

O Thou, who in the inaccessible depths 

Dwellest, of all central Being, and of whom 

We can see but the star dust of Thy feet, 

Left on Heaven's roads ; from world, nathless,to w^orld. 

From firmament to firmament, can we trace 

Each soul his individual link with Thee ; 

The pure invisible touch which makes us Thine, 

The something more substantial than the sun, 

More general than the void, yet nested here, 

As through the airy silence of the soul 

Swifter than eagle rushing on the wind. 

Thou sweep'st into possession when Thou wilt. 

So many are Thy mercies there is nought 



PRAYER. 109 

But this to pray for, left ; — Continue that 
Thou givest ! To cease pertaineth not to Thee. 

The elements may all confusedly fail, 

And burning systems stiffen or depart 

Into their graves of darkness and decay ; — 

The Sun, at length, exhausted in the strife 

With his setherial victor, sleep and die ; — 

And firmaments conglobe them, till at last 

The universe concentre in one orb. 

Fit for Thy footstool only. Change like this 

Ten thousand times may happen, till it fall, 

To the observant spirits at Thy right hand, 

Noteless by re-occurrence ; Man, the while, 

Restored into the essence whence he came, — 

One with the great ones who have dwelt in him, — 

Who cannot deal with less than infinities, 

Nor utter what is not divine and true, — 

Shall ripen in Thy bosom till he grow, 

Through endless Heavens triumphant and serene. 

Into the throned God thou badst him be. 



H Y M N 



Who shall commemorate all Thy chosen names 
Thou who art Sire at once and Son of man ? 
Servant, friend, brother, bridegroom, husband, Lord, 
Priest, advocate, physician, teacher, guide. 
King, conqueror, and master, world-adored ! 
Owner of all things here, and almoner ! — 
Thou the Divine Protagonist of time. 
The everlasting sacrifice ; the world's 
Eternal victim, Thou, and victor God ! 
On high the light of all perfections, here 
The blessed shadow ! Sun of righteousness, 
And star of wisdom, lonely in the Heavens ! — 
The cloud of glory in life's wilderness, 
The splendour in the temple ; Temple, rock, 
City of refuge ! Branch and root, and vine ! 
Tree, too, of Life, of knowledge ! Ahiiond tree 
First flowering from the wintry world of death ! — 



HYMN. Ill 

Thou too the olive, whence distils the oil 

Of inspiration for the elect anoint ! — 

Robe, sceptre, crown, and shield ! Eye, arm, and 

head ! — 
Earth's corner stone and architect of Heaven ! — 
Fire, fountain, river ! Sacrifice for sin, 
And Sin itself! The serpent of the saved. 
The Angel of redemption, and our God ! — 
Curse trans-essentiate into blessing ! Man, 
Angel, and Deity ! The All in all. 
The one sole Being of the universe ! 
The Lord of armies, and the Prince of Peace, 
Whose humblest follower is a prince with God ! — 
Our fellow-heir and our inheritance. 
Witness and Judge, and ransom and reward, 
Originator, Mediator, Fine ! 
For Thou art all of these, and Thou alone ! — 



KNOWLEDGE 



The knowledge of God is the wisdom of man — 

This is the end of Being, wisdom ; this 

Of wisdom, action ; and of action, rest ; 

And of rest, bliss ; that by experience sage 

Of good and ill, the diametric powers 

Which thwart the world, the thrice-born might discern 

That death divine alone can perfect both. 

The mediate and initiate ; that between 

The Deity and nothing, nothing is. 

The Atlantean axis of the world 

And all the undescribed circumference. 

Where earth's thick breath thins off to blankest space 

Uniting with inanity, this truth 

Confess, the sun-sire and the death- world too, 

And undeflected spirit pure from Heaven, 

That He who makes, destroying, saves the whole. 



KNOWLEDGE. 113 

The Former and Re-former of the world 
In wisdom's holy spirit all renew. 

To know this, is to read the runes of old, 

Wrought in the time-outlasting rock ; to see 

Unblinded in the heart of light ; to feel 

Keen through the soul, the same essential strain, 

Which vivifies the clear and fire-eyed stars, 

Still harping their serene and silvery spell 

In the perpetual presence of the skies, 

And of the world-cored calm, where silence sits. 

In secret light all hidden ; this to know — 

Brings down the fiery unction from on high, 

The spiritual chrism of the sun. 

Which hallows and ordains the regnant soul — 

Transmutes the splendid fluid of the frame 

Into a fountain of divine delight. 

And renovative nature ; — shews us earth, 

One with the great galactic line of life 

Which parts the hemispheral palm of Heaven ; 

This with all spheres of Being makes concord 

As at the first creation, in that peace, 

Promotional, preelemental, prime. 

Which is the hope of earth, the joy of Heaven, 

8 



114 KNOWLEDGE. 

The choice of the elect, the grace of life, 
The blessing and the glory of our God. 

And — as the vesper hymn of time precedes 

The starry matins of Eternity, 

And daybreak of existence in the Heavens, — 

To know this, is to know we shall depart 

Into the storm surrounding calm on high. 

The sacred cirque, the all-central infinite 

Of that self blessedness wherein abides 

Our God, all kind, all loving, all beloved ; — 

To feel life one great ritual, and its laws, 

Writ in the vital rubric of the blood, 

Flow in obedience and flow out command, 

In sealike circulation ; and be here 

Accepted as a gift by Him who gives 

An empire as an alms, nor counts it aught, 

So long as all His creatures joy in Him, 

The great Rejoicer of the Universe, 

Whom all the boundless spheres of Being bless. 



6 4 5 •.,;^ 



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